Ok, ok… so it’s not actually a martini because there’s far too many ingredients in it to make it a classic, but it is a perfect cocktail for Christmas. My grandmother always baked a pile of gingersnap cookies for the holidays (along with every other Christmas-oriented cookie known to man) so this is a great cocktail to add to the holiday tradition as an adult, whether I’m actually eating a cookie along with it or not.

The Gingersnap Martini
1 oz pear-flavored vodka
½ oz amaretto
½ oz simple syrup
½ oz molasses
2¼ slices of fresh ginger
Pinch of cinnamon
Pinch of clove
Pinch of allspice
Crystallized ginger or sugar, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker, put your fresh ginger slices, molasses, simple syrup and spices. Muddle like your life depends on it. Fill halfway with ice and add your pear-flavored vodka and amaretto. Shake well and strain into your cocktail glass, rimmed with crystal ginger or sugar. Enjoy!
TAGS [ COCKTAIL RECIPES | CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS | GINGERSNAP COCKTAIL | GINGER SNAP MARTINI ]



Unlike some Christmas ales I’ve had, this one was not over-spiced. For example, although tasty in its own right, the Anchor Special Ale for 2009 has more pine essence than that of beer. It was enjoyable, and most definitely reminded me of the holiday season, but it’s not one I could drink a ton of.




